Refilling at Bristol Balloon Fiesta!

Once more, Bristol Water popped up their pop-up water bar, in conjunction with Refill Bristol.

Meaning it wasn’t just balloons flying high at Bristol Balloon Fiesta! The water bar was hugely popular, with people refilling non stop.

The balloon fiesta also gave me a great excuse to get my camera out, as you can see through the post, I love balloons!

Around 10,000 people gulped down 6,000 litres of free tap water throughout the four-day fiesta!

This was the third time I’d worked the water bar this Summer as part of my role with City to Sea (which I’ve yet to blog about…) and again, it was brilliant!!

We happily refilled people’s water bottles all weekend.

Preventing literally 1000s of single use plastic bottles heading into the waste stream!

As well as refilling and keeping people (& dogs!) hydrated, we brought along ideas from our Festival of Nature stand, where we’d created fun and unique activities to engage with the general public.

Many who I spoke to over the course of this weekend were still unaware of plastic pollution in our oceans. It was fantastic to be able to let them know about the issue, while at the same time providing a solution there and then.

People appreciated their free refill even more when they learned why we’re doing it!

The guys at Bristol Water set up a stand next to the pop up bar. Giving us space to chat to people. Many qued for water alongside, so it was easy to engage people while they waited for water!

Guess the number of bottle tops in the jar (hint, it’s a significant number…)

Guess the number of bottle tops in the jar (hint, it’s a significant number…)

See what Alberta the Albatross has had for dinner…

See what Alberta the Albatross has had for dinner…

It wasn’t all work… I made the most of the opportunity to experience the excitement of Bristol Balloon Fiesta!

I tested the route by bike on the Thursday evening for the night glow. Which happened to be a very windy evening! It was awesome! The balloons are held on the ground, then they all light up in time with music. The wind added to the drama as the balloons swayed and moved into each other….

The wind meant the balloons didn’t take off until the Saturday evening. I loved it so much I set my alarm for the Sunday dawn assent.

I packed my camera and feeling pretty pleased with myself – set of on my bike when it was still dark! Once I got there I realised I wasn’t alone – 100s had got up early, many with kids and full on picnics and BBQs already on the go when I arrived!!

It was the only dawn assent of the festival. It was special… with over 120 balloons leaving from Ashton Court, the largest balloon fiesta in Europe, it really is a sight to behold.

With such a huge crowd it was perfect for Refill Bristol to be there. Our aim at City to Sea is to stem the flow of plastic pollution from source – in a fun and engaging way. And judging by the constant flow of people who refilled – we’re succeeding!

Here are some stats from Bristol Water: From the people surveyed a massive 87% said they drink tap water at home, but only about 50% came to the festival prepared with a reusable bottle and most did not expect to be able to refill it. Of those that did refill only 38% had a reusable bottle the rest had single use plastics bottles that they had either brought on site or had with them.

What if the pop up water bar had not been there? Single use plastic water bottles would have piled high. The waste from the event was the usual as you can see. Even with the pop up water bar and recycling bins, there was still shit loads of rubbish!

The event was partnered with Bristol Waste, and yes they could have supplied more bins. But that’s not the solution, the planet can not cope with more bins. The ones we have need to have less in them. A Lot Less!

It felt to me the emphasis was on “recycling” rather than reducing. As is so often the case.

This is what I said about it, as quoted on Bristol Water’s website from the press release:

“The aim for us at these events has been to get people to reduce the amount of plastic waste they produce. Most people have heard the phase ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’ but for some reason the recycle element has made its way to the front. The thing we should be concentrating on is reducing the amount of waste, and this is the message we are trying to get across, and what we’re providing with the water bar.” said Michelle Cassar, Creative Director for City to Sea.

She added “Speaking to people at the Balloon Fiesta it was obvious there is a demand for refill station like Bristol Water’s water bar”.

I’ve shown this post to Eric at Bristol Waste before I published it, as I wanted them to be aware of it, and I’m interested what they say. I don’t want this post to come across as “pointing the finger” and blaming someone else. It isn’t.

We have to, and are – working together. When it comes to plastic pollution, we need all hands on deck!

I’m still waiting to hear from him to their thoughts…

Thankfully though – Refill Bristol was there!

Debbie from Yate, who kept coming back to refill, said “It is such a good idea because not only do you save the plastic waste but you also save loads of money”.

Ian visiting from South Wales added “I am amazed that by 2050 there could be more plastic in the sea than fish, we really need to do all we can to reduce our plastic waste”.

The pop up bar, like the balloons, doesn’t just pop up by magic! Oh no… there are people working hard to get it to places, refill it, check it’s all safe for people to drink, and be there to refill from early till late. During the course of this weekend, the bowser was filled three times, and the technicians were on call 24/7 just in case. And then there’s the cleaning of the bar… which Rob’s a dab hand at!

It really is team work!

“We at Bristol Water strongly believe everyone In Bristol and the surrounding areas should be working together to reduce the amount of plastic we use, and have shown our support to this fantastic City to Sea project.

There are also loads of other benefits that come along with refilling whilst at events such as the Balloon Fiesta. You stay hydrated and that was certainly needed over this weekend, but you also save loads of money. The Water Bar will be out and about next summer across the area as well” said Alison Jennings, Communications Manager at Bristol Water.

As well as drinking I had to eat! I’d taken my stylish Elephant Box along, and enjoyed my packed lunches, while drinking from my stainless steel water bottle from Refill Bristol. And a cutlery set and case I picked up at a charity shop.

That’s a PALL packed lunch!

I hear that going up in a balloon is easy, fun and exciting. While coming down is unpredictable and can be a bumpy ride.

The same could be said for single use plastics.

Single use plastics make life in the here and now easy: buy it, use it, throw it in a box. It’s been exciting for us to lead such convenient lives. It’s sold to us as a lifestyle, packaging products – or in this case water – promising to make our lives more fulfilled and fun.

Plastic pollution is taking longer for us to feel the full extent than a bump back to earth after a balloon ride, but the unpredictable bump of plastic pollution will affect each and every one of us. Especially the little people. With plastic in our oceans spiralling out of control, with one report after another of what this is doing to our health, how there’ll be more plastic in the oceans than fish – if we continue at our current consumption – when my young nieces are only in their early 30s.

Is this bumpy ride one we really want to take a chance on?

A balloon pilot is experienced and knows how to soften the fall. There is no one piloting the rampant over use of single use bottled water. It is up to us to reduce.

We already know what to do. It’s a case of doing it. One bottle at a time. Refuse. Reduce. REFILL!

It’s time to wave good buy to single use plastic water bottles…

Thank you Bristol Water and Refill Bristol for making it possible to do so at Bristol Balloon Fiesta!

Not sure what to refill? A stainless steel bottle is the option I go for.

Light (apart from the water of course) and safe to drink from. They are also rather stylish I’m sure you’ll agree… I have no end of compliments. You can purchase one here if you fancy….

Bristol Water have confirmed: The pop up water bar will pop up in Summer 2017!!

So until then…. carry on refilling.

Remember: Every refusal adds up!

All photography is by myself and is under the copyright of: Cassar Photography. Please get in touch if you’d like to use any images.